THE PRODUCTION/OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT MAJOR Department of Information and Decision Sciences College of Business Administration The University of Texas at El Paso Production/operations management (POM) refers to the management of an organization s systems that create and deliver its products and services. POM constitutes a functional area of business just like marketing and finance and involves line management responsibilities. The POM major is offered in the Department of Information and Decision Sciences (IDS) of the College of Business Administration. Recently, the Undergraduate Catalog was revised to specify the following as major requirements (a total of 24 credit hours) for the POM major: 6 POM 3322 and 3333 15 Electives from upper division POM courses 3 Upper-division business elective By way of completing an appropriate combination of courses, it is possible for a student with a declared POM major to select one of following two areas of emphasis: Supply Chain Management emphasis Manufacturing Management emphasis The combination of courses specified below for each emphasis allows the student an understanding and appreciation of key concepts, issues, business processes, tools, and techniques associated with supply chain management or manufacturing management, respectively, which prospective employers will value highly. The course listing specified for either emphasis satisfies the major requirements (24 credit hours) for the POM major. What is Supply Chain Management? The past couple of decades have seen much attention given to supply chain management (SCM). The fierce competition in global markets, increasingly shorter product life cycles, and increasingly higher customer expectations with respect to product capability and reliability, delivery lead times, flexibility, and service have all led business firms to focus on their supply chains. In an industrial setting, the supply chain encompasses all activities associated with the flow and transformation of goods and services, as well as the attendant information flows, from suppliers of raw material and components,
through manufacturing/assembly plants, through the distribution chain (transporters, warehouses, distribution centers, retailers), and down to the customers/end users. SCM involves integrating and managing the key business processes associated with the flow and transformation of goods and services, as well as the attendant information flows, both within and between the various organizations along the supply chain. It is intended to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage, minimize system-wide costs, satisfy service level requirements, and maximize the overall value generated by the supply chain. The Supply-Chain Council which was organized in 1996-1997 by representatives of a number of companies including, among others, Procter & Gamble, Lockheed Martin, Texas Instruments, Compaq, and Bayer (see www.supplychain.org) emphasizes that SCM includes key business processes such as supply and demand management, sourcing of raw materials and parts, manufacturing and assembly, tracking of warehousing and inventory, order entry and management, distribution across all channels, and delivery to the customer. Supply Chain Management Emphasis The following constitute the courses specified for the Supply Chain Management emphasis in the POM major: POM 3322 Advanced Production/Operations Management POM 3333 Production Planning and Control POM 3336 Inventory Management POM 3337 Business Logistics POM 4375 Operational Models for Supply Chain Management Two courses selected from other upper-division POM courses or CIS 4375 (6 credit hours) One upper-division business elective (3 credit hours) What is Manufacturing Management? Manufacturing management does not merely pertain to direct manufacturing functions such as cutting, shaping, grinding, and assembly. It involves, among others, such concerns as product design and development, process selection, plant location and design, capacity management, manufacturing planning and control, quality control, workforce organization, equipment maintenance, product distribution, and inter-plant coordination. The Production/Operations Management (POM) Major 2
Manufacturing Management Emphasis The following constitute the courses specified for the Manufacturing Management emphasis in the POM major: POM 3322 Advanced Production/Operations Management POM 3333 Production Planning and Control POM 3335 Project Management POM 3336 Inventory Management POM 3339 Quality Planning and Control Two courses selected from other upper-division POM courses or IMS 4360 (6 credit hours) One upper-division business elective (3 credit hours) IMS 4360 is considered by the IDS Department to be a substitute for an upper-division POM course. Relevant Course Descriptions (Undergraduate Catalog, as revised) POM 3322 Advanced Production/Operations Management Discusses the design and implementation of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMT). This includes Just-in-Time (JIT) systems, cellular and Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS), and Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM). It also explores the key role that manufacturing plays in product development efforts and cross-functional teams. Other topics such as manufacturing strategy, maintenance, and the design of work systems are presented as well. Case studies and group projects/presentations are used for instructional purposes. POM 3333 Production Planning and Control (3-0) Material planning and control systems utilizing material requirements planning (MRP) techniques. Production planning, master production scheduling, MRP, capacity requirements planning, and shop floor control techniques are examined from both conceptual and practical standpoints. Prerequisites: POM 3322 and QMB 3301; POM 3322 may be taken concurrently with POM 3333. POM 3335 Project Management (3-0) Various aspects of project management from conception and planning to project control and termination are discussed. Topics include: project scheduling, precedence diagramming, PERT, CPM, budgeting, and project management The Production/Operations Management (POM) Major 3
information systems. Organizational and conceptual issues such as project team development and management structure will be addressed. Prerequisites: POM 3321 and QMB 3301. POM 3336 Inventory Management (3-0) A study of the concepts, principles, problems, and procedures involved in managing inventories of raw materials, work-in-process, finished goods, and supplies. Some emphasis will be placed on the formulation and application of models for the analysis and replenishment of inventories. Implications for inventory management of material requirements planning and just in time systems will also be discussed. Prerequisite: POM 3322; POM 3322 may be taken concurrently with POM 3336. POM 3337 Business Logistics (3-0) Analysis of logistics concepts, activities, and decisions necessary to plan, implement, and control the private and public physical distribution of goods and services. The focus and emphasis of the course is on physical, human, informational, global, and organizational system components. The course includes such logistics topics as inventory, facility location, warehousing, traffic and transportation, materials handling, packaging, order processing, customer service, and global logistics. POM 3339 Quality Planning and Control (3-0) A study of the most effective methods for improving product and process quality in manufacturing and service operations. The course covers the following topics: statistical control charts, quality auditing, Japanese QC tools, process capability, loss functions, statistical tolerances, and experimental design. Statistical computer software will be used. POM 4375 Operational Models for Supply Chain Management (3-0) An examination of some of the major operational concepts and issues relating to the flow of materials, goods, services, and information through a company s supply chain the network of organizations that supply and transform materials and distribute final products to customers. The course seeks to provide an understanding of the importance of individual components (suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and customers) in the operation of the supply chain. It will emphasize inventory-service level tradeoffs, risk pooling, and other operational concerns. Some of the more recent approaches designed for the effective and efficient operation of the supply chain will be discussed. Prerequisites: POM 3321, QMB 3301, and CIS 3345. The Production/Operations Management (POM) Major 4
Important Note: The above courses will generally be offered only once every academic year, either in the fall or spring semester. A POM major opting for either the Supply Chain Management emphasis or the Manufacturing Management emphasis will need to take note of when these courses are to be scheduled. Other Upper-Division POM Courses; CIS 4375; IMS 4360 POM 3331 Service Operations Management (3-0) Methods of process analysis in service organizations, methods improvement procedures, and work measurement techniques are developed to provide the basis for analyses of processes, layouts, and job design in an organization. POM 3390 Internship in Production/Operations Management (0-0-3) Practical experience in service operations/manufacturing enterprises is emphasized. The student will be required to write a paper in a relevant topic agreed upon with the supervising faculty. This course requires approval of the instructor and the department chairperson. Prerequisites: POM 3321 and an advanced elective course in POM. POM 4371 Transportation and Warehousing Systems (3-0) Role of transportation systems in economic activity; emphasis on modes of transportation analysis and planning, and the management of transportation systems in supply chains. Administration of warehouse and terminal functions in logistics systems, with analysis of customer service, forecasting, investment, design, and operation activities. POM 4398 Independent Study in Production/Operations Management (0-0-3) The student studies a topic as a semester-long project. Prerequisites: POM 3321 and department approval. POM 4399 Current Topics in Production/Operations Management (3-0) Topics to be announced. This course may be repeated for credit as topics are changed CIS 4375 Introduction to Electronic Commerce (3-0) The course will combine Electronic Commerce (e-commerce) business and technical state-of-the art topics and introduce students to these issues in order to facilitate their participation and involvement in the e-commerce area. The course will cover, among others, Web-based tools for e-commerce, e-commerce The Production/Operations Management (POM) Major 5
software, and infrastructure. Students will gain hands-on experience in designing e-commerce Web sites using appropriate software. Prerequisite: CIS 4365 or departmental approval. IMS 4360 International Manufacturing Management Concepts (2-3) A comprehensive study of border manufacturing business issues. Includes analyses of the impact of culture on employee recruitment and selection, motivation, attitudes, training, and general labor relations and laws. Technology transfer, international accounting systems, the economics of foreign exchange, international capital budgeting, and the legal environments affecting offshore/border manufacturing are examined. Managerial control functions, materials management/logistics, location analysis, and information flow between manufacturing components are addressed. Case studies of real offshore/border manufacturing problems and group projects/presentations are utilized. Prerequisite: Department Approval. (This course is offered as part of the International Manufacturing Program which is administered by the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering.) The Production/Operations Management (POM) Major 6